Chess Puzzle #ppG9d — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1996 · Advanced · defensive move, equality, fork, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/h1; bishops c3/d3; pawns a2/c2/h4. Black: king g8; queen d6; rook e8; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qa3+ — queen d6→a3, gives check. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bb2 — bishop c3→b2. Opponent replies Qxa2 (queen a3→a2, captures pawn).
  3. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop b2→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Bb2.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3ppp/3q4/8/3n3P/2BB4/P1P5/2KR3R b - - 3 26

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.